You haven’t been very consistent in visiting your doctor in Provo for your regular diabetes management consultation. You’re ignoring the shortness of breath you sometimes feel when going up and down just two flights of stairs. “I’m alright.” You keep telling yourself. Suddenly your perspective changed when you learned that your dear friend from way back in college was quickly wheeled into the operating room for a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), otherwise known as angioplasty. Your friend lives a stressful life as an investment banker. It was a scare, but it’s the reality of being in your 40s.
You’re vaguely aware that your current condition and heart disease form one of the deadliest diseases combination. What happened to your friend was a wake-up call. You’ve decided to find out more about preventing the onset of heart disease.
Here’s what your research might reveal:
Of Hearts and Sugar: an Overview
Here’s the story: even if your blood sugar levels are in control, you’re still at risk of having heart disease or suffering a stroke. This is because the probability of having hypertension or high blood pressure is higher when you’re blood sugar levels are too high. Hypertension is considered a risk factor for heart or cardiovascular disease. The prognostic is that the chances of getting cardiovascular disease doubles if a person has both hypertension and blood sugar problems.
Putting in the Work
Your rude awakening on the possibility of suffering the same fate as your friend is probably the initial step to take to prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases. Here are a few more things that you should note:
- Slowing metabolism: If you’re just semi-active, then chances are you’re about 40 to 50 pounds heavier now compared to when you were in your late 20s or early 30s. This is because your metabolism is slowing down, and food intake is latching on to your body either as fat resulting in weight gain. You, therefore, need to be more aware of eating food that’s good for your heart. But eating right needs to be coupled with physical activity. Raising your heart rate to about 120 bpm for at least 30 minutes three times a week is a minimum acceptable routine.
- Quit smoking: You might think that this one will hurt the most. If you’re a smoker, it’s no longer a debate that your chances of a heart attack are much higher than if you’re not. The death rate from cardiovascular disease is also about 70% higher among smokers vs. non-smokers.
- Do you think that snoring is harmless? Well, think again. 20% of adults suffer from mild sleep apnea. Sleep apnea impedes continuous breathing while you sleep. This sleep pauses, in turn, increase your blood pressure levels. Soquality sleep is essential, and if you’re partner mentions that you are consistently snoring too loudly, see a doctor.
- Deal with stress properly: Drinking alcohol or binge-eating are not positive ways of dealing with stress, and they increase the risk of heart problems. Find alternative ways of de-stressing, like joining a yoga class or sticking to a scheduled R&R with the family.
Everyday Steps to Lower Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Cardiovascular Disease prevention often starts with consistent attention to everyday health habits. Regular physical activity, balanced meals, avoiding smoking and managing stress can all support heart health over time. People living with diabetes or high blood pressure may need additional monitoring because these conditions can affect cardiovascular wellbeing. Paying attention to symptoms, attending routine medical appointments and discussing personal risk factors with a healthcare professional can make it easier to identify potential concerns before they become more serious.
Make Regular Health Checks Part of Your Routine
Preventive care is especially important when several risk factors are present at the same time. Keeping track of blood pressure, blood sugar and other health markers can help you and your healthcare team understand changes more clearly. Quality sleep, regular movement and healthier ways of managing stress can also support overall wellbeing. Rather than waiting for noticeable symptoms, maintaining consistent appointments with appropriate medical professionals can encourage earlier conversations about risk reduction and long-term heart health.
Your attitude toward regularly seeing your doctor for consultation must also change. People with glucose problems and at-risk with cardiovascular diseases must see their specialists, an endocrinologist, and a cardiologist at least once every six months. This might save your life.
